Middlesbrough’s strong start to the Championship season continued as they secured a late equaliser against Southampton, maintaining their unbeaten record. Kaly Sene netted his first goal for the club in that game. Once again he found the net, notching up a vital equalizer that secured Middlesbrough an immensely valuable point. Rob Edwards’ lads getting a taste of the big time at St. Mary’s Stadium. With this result, they opened their lead at the top of the table to four points.
Southampton were enjoying a fantastic first half, overpowering Liverpool. Notable too, as they made six changes to their lineup from their last league match. Adam Armstrong scored an incredible volleyed finish which gave the home side the lead just after the hour mark. This new ambition increased the urgency on Middlesbrough to act fast. A moment of brilliance from erstwhile Sounder Sene turned the complexion of the match around.
Match Overview
Sure enough, Middlesbrough opened the match with an insistent fury. They were looking to build off of their remarkable record of five wins and two draws through their first seven matches. Even though Southampton started on the front foot, the team did well to stay compact and mentally strong.
Southampton’s Adam Armstrong set his new home supporters alight with a stunner of a shot to open the scoring. He took a brilliant volley after an assist from Tom Fellows to highlight the home side’s attacking flair. Unfortunately for them, Southampton failed to capitalize on numerous other chances during the course of the game.
In a highlight-reel play, Joshua Quarshie headed Ryan Manning’s corner down into the ground. He completely fluffed his lines and ballooned the shot over the bar from six yards. In the 59th minute, David Strelec missed a golden chance to put the Czechs ahead. His effort was intercepted by Middlesbrough’s Caspar Jander. Finn Azaz, who transferred from Middlesbrough to Southampton at the end of the transfer window, had a golden opportunity to score in the 33rd minute but missed the target completely.
Late Drama
As the match continued, Middlesbrough began pushing more and more men forward looking for that equaliser. The moment of achievement arrived in spectacular style as Kaly Sene finished emphatically from Luke Ayling’s set up. The ball took a heavy deflection off Nathan Wood of Southampton before reaching Sene, who made no mistake putting into the back of the net.
This late goal not only salvaged a point for Middlesbrough but showed Sene’s increasing importance in the first team. Before that, he had scored his first goal for the club just days before in a match against West Brom. This new goal cements his place as a rising star.
“In the end, it was a third of a chance that’s got them a really unlucky goal for us. It symbolises where we’re at, what it looks like and how things are turning for us.” – Rob Edwards
Middlesbrough’s resilience was extraordinary to witness. They fought their way back against a Southampton side who, for the vast majority of the fixture, seemed like they were well in command.
Manager’s Reflection
Interim head coach Rob Edwards expressed ambivalence after the game, happy with the grit shown by his squad, but disappointed with their decision-making. He highlighted that Middlesbrough picked up an important point. They left a number of early opportunities on the table to take advantage of their environment.
“For large periods of that game, we’ve been in control and dominating and causing them quite a lot of problems. I think we’ve scored a great goal, but we’ve just left them in it and haven’t punished them when we had the opportunity to do so and kill the game off.”
Edwards went on to stress the need to keep hope and optimism alive there, as they work through growing pains this year and still look ahead.
“There’s only one way that you influence that luck and change, that is by keeping believing in what we’re doing, by working, by sticking at it and by staying positive.”
He further lauded Sene’s growth in the team and potential to offer more in the future.
“I think he’s got a high ceiling. He’s a good lad. He’s quiet, smiles and goes about his business well.”
Leave a Reply